A few hours before Memphis' season-opener against Louisiana-Monroe, university president M. David Rudd announced on Twitter that Memphis has sold a program-record 22,500 football season tickets for 2017.

Thanks to all those supporting our Tigers for a record season ticket sales of 22,500. #GoTigersGo

In a radio interview with Sports 56 earlier this month, senior associate athletic director for external affairs Steve Macy said Memphis had seen a dramatic boost in season-ticket sales after the Tigers' 8-5 finish last year, in Mike Norvell's first season as head coach.

The Tigers sold approximately 17,000 season tickets last year after selling 14,000 and 9,000 in 2015 and 2014, respectively, Macy said.

A strong season-ticket base (and home games against UCLA and Navy) should help Memphis eclipse its average announced attendance of 37,346 last year.

In an interview earlier this week, athletic director Tom Bowen said Memphis hoped to average 40,000 fans per game in 2017, a mark it has only reached three times since 2000. The Tigers averaged 43,802 fans per game at the Liberty Bowl in 2015, and also eclipsed 40,000 in average attendance in 2003 and 2004, when running back DeAngelo Williams was in school.